50 out of every 100

Driving tests were failed in Great Britain during

December 2025

ready to pass campaign.gov.uk

 

 

 

Driving instructors, are specially trained to help people learn to drive; and know what standards the DVSA expect to pass a UK practical driving test. Only 21 per cent of people pass first time with most passing on the second attempt. So check out :

 

The 27 Driving Skills (Split into 8 Groups)

Based on the official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) curriculum, here are the 27 skills a learner driver needs to master, organized into 8 functional groups.

Group 1: Basics (Skills 1-4)

1.Legal responsibilities: Understanding laws regarding health, eyesight, insurance, tax, MOT, and roadworthiness.
2.Safety checks: Knowing how to perform vehicle safety checks (FLOWER: Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics, Rubber).
3.Cockpit checks: Adjusting seat, mirrors, headrest, and seatbelt before driving.
4.Security: Ensuring the vehicle, contents, and personal safety are secure.

Group 2: Control and Positioning (Skills 5-7)

1.Controls and instruments: Mastering the use of pedals, steering, gears, and dashboard instruments.
2.Moving away and stopping: Safely starting and stopping on various gradients and angles.
3.Safe positioning: Maintaining the correct road position and lane discipline.

Group 3: Observation, Signalling, and Planning (Skills 8-13)

1.Mirrors – vision and use: Using mirrors effectively with the MSM (Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre) routine.
2.Signals: Giving and responding to signals from other road users.
3.Anticipation and planning: Identifying hazards early and planning responses.
4.Use of speed: Adapting speed to road conditions, weather, and legal limits.
5.Other traffic: Dealing with meeting, crossing, and overtaking other vehicles.
6.Fuel-efficient driving: Driving in a way that reduces fuel consumption and environmental impact.

Group 4: Junctions, Roundabouts, and Crossings (Skills 14-16)

1.Junctions: Negotiating T-junctions, crossroads, and slip roads safely.
2.Roundabouts: Understanding priority and positioning at various types of roundabouts.
3.Pedestrian crossings: Safely approaching and dealing with different types of crossings.

Group 5: Manoeuvres (Skills 17-20)

1.Reversing: Controlling the vehicle while reversing smoothly and accurately.
2.Turning the car around: Executing turns in the road safely and under control.
3.Parking: Mastering parallel parking and bay parking.
4.Emergency stop: Stopping the vehicle quickly and safely under full control.

Group 6: Road Types (Skills 21-23)

1.Country roads: Dealing with narrow lanes, poor visibility, and high speed limits.
2.Dual carriageways: Joining, leaving, and driving on high-speed dual-lane roads.
3.Motorways: Understanding specific rules for joining, driving on, and leaving motorways.

Group 7: Driving Conditions (Skills 24-26)

1.Driving in the dark: Managing limited visibility and different lighting conditions.
2.Weather conditions: Adapting driving to rain, snow, ice, fog, and bright sun.
3.Passengers and loads: Understanding responsibilities when carrying people or cargo.

Group 8: Following Routes (Skill 27)

1.Independent driving and using a sat nav: Following directions from a sat nav or traffic signs independently.
 
The Official DVSA Guide to learning to drive covers these 27 Skills:
 
The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive: Amazon.co.uk: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency: 9780115536595: Books click

 

Top 10 reasons for Failing the driving test.

  • Not making effective observations at junctions.
  • Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
  • Not moving off safely.
  • incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions.
  • Not having proper control of the steering
  • Not responding appropriately to traffic lights.
  • Not responding correctly at traffic lights
  • poor positioning on road during normal driving
  • Not responding correctly to road markings
  • not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking 

 

Lets talk about driving test faults, marking and results. 

There are 3 categories of faults you can make on your driving test

 

  • DANGEROUS FAULT : A dangerous fault involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property. You will fail your test if you make any dangerous faults.
  • SERIOUS FAULT : A serious fault is something that has the potential to be dangerous
  • DRIVING FAULT :  A driving fault is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become dangerous.

Pass Mark to pass your test you must have:

  No Serious or Dangerous faults (majors)

   15 or fewer driving faults (minors)   

 

                                                                   ready to pass

 

 

Check you’re ready to pass with our checklist

 

Are you ready to pass? You’ll usually be ready to take your driving test when you can say ‘yes’ to these 5 points.

 

1. You do not need prompts from your driving instructor

You need to be dealing with every part of driving consistently, confidently and independently – without any prompting from your driving instructor.

You’ll be getting ready for your test when you’re able to adapt to situations and see why developing your skills makes you safer and more fuel-efficient.

Find out about the 27 driving skills you need.

 

2. You do not make serious or dangerous mistakes when you’re driving

You need to be a good and safe driver to pass the driving test.

If you’re making serious or dangerous mistakes during your driving lessons and brushing them off as ‘silly mistakes’, you’re not ready to pass your driving test and drive on your own.

 

3. You can pass mock driving tests

Taking and passing mock driving tests with your driving instructor will help you understand if you’ve reached the standard that’s needed to pass.

Find out about the benefits of taking mock tests.

 

4. You have practised ways of managing your nerves

It’s really important to be able to manage your nerves to be a safe driver.

Practise ways of managing your nerves to help you stay calm and focused when you take your test. This will help you in the vital months after you’ve passed your test, too.

Find out about managing your nerves.

 

5. Your driving instructor agrees you’re ready

If your driving instructor says you’re not ready to take your driving test, listen to them.

Driving instructors are specially trained road safety experts. They’ve got lots of driving experience – and they know what it takes to pass the driving test.

Remember, they want you to be a safe driver, keep your insurance costs low, and enjoy driving for years to come.

 

 

Remember:

               if you regularly make any of these mistakes, it means you've still got more work to do until you are ready for your test. This is reflected in your driving lessons, or private practice. 

Not feeling completely prepared?

Only take your driving test if you’re feeling completely prepared.

You can move your driving test back if you’re not feeling quite ready yet.

It’s free to change your appointment time, as long as you do it at least 10 full working days (Mondays to Saturdays) before your test.